Results 2,561-2,580 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Budget Statement 2006: Motion (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I refer to Eddie Hobbs. He claimed he is past his sell-by date. He stated that: "[T]he public sector seems to be overpaid and inefficient and that needs to be faced down like Thatcher faced down the coal miners." An editorial in Business and Finance, apart from seeking a reduction in the top rate to 36%, states: [The Government] should be freezing all public sector hiring and wages until...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2006: Motion (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Social cohesion and harmony are required and Members do not want Rossport five situations nationwide. I will come to the budget itself. All Members will welcome the announcement that contributory old age pensioners will be in receipt of €209.30, while non-contributory pensioners will receive €200. There is also a very substantial increase in the income tax exemption, which has been a...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2006: Motion (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It is going well in Tipperary, I assure Senator Burke.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2006: Motion (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the environmental measures and, in particular, the encouragement of energy crops. Overall, it is an excellent budget which will help sustain prosperity, not just to the next election but for years ahead minus any external shocks. I congratulate the Government on a first-class budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I wonder whether it would be possible to turn down the heating in the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Mansergh: This is the time of year when one tends to review the performance of the tourism industry in the past year and the prospects for the year to come. I would like a debate on the industry, if not immediately, then when we resume. It is one of those sectors where many doomsayers claimed we were in danger of losing competitiveness and market share. In fact, we are forging ahead and the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: As I did not participate in this morning's debate, I take the opportunity to pay a warm tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, for her contribution to public life over a period of almost 30 years. She was a Minister and a Minister of State. Her first contribution to public life was to seek vigour in national policy. I hope she is reasonably satisfied that it has been in place...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Now and again, a Chathaoirligh, but I am not alone in doing so. I welcome the Bill which is less an electoral reform measure than a contribution to penal reform. There is value in prisoners being able, in so far as it is possible and practicable to do so, to exercise their civic rights. If anything, they might have a greater propensity to vote than the general population to the extent...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I wonder whether the same strength and depth would exist on all sides of the House if a vote were called.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The subject being discussed does not really matter to the Senator. Today, it merely happens to be the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Did I say the Senator was not entitled to call a quorum?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The criticisms made by Senator Bannon of this Bill, which could have been equally applied to any other legislation before the House, were that it was a disgrace, a shame and an embarrassment. His accusations reminded me of the great 18th century English writer who said: "There is a lot of ruin in a nation." If windy rhetoric were able to blow a party out of Government, then Senator Bannon...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It is nonsense to suggest that all the problems in the register are the fault of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This country has experienced extensive social and demographic changes. Twenty years ago, for example, few people lived in private apartments. People have an unprecedented degree of mobility and many dwellings can now only be accessed through...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It has become more difficult for election candidates or local government officials to knock on doors——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Does Senator Bannon like to listen to argument and debate or does he prefer to interrupt constantly?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister is making a conscientious effort to ensure the register is as accurate as possible, which is not a particularly easy task. As was noted during the debate on the National Development Finance Agency with regard to cost overruns, an element of trial and error is unavoidable in many areas of administration. If a measure is not working as perfectly as it should, appropriate action...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and warmly welcome the National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 which is designed to achieve value for money through a practical scheme which will be worth more than any number of window dressing policies from the Opposition. I have greater faith in the Bill's abilities than the enhanced roles proposed by the speaker opposite for a Fine Gael Taoiseach...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The National Treasury Management Agency, of which the NDFA is an extension, was an excellent Opposition initiative of a type that the Senator should examine. Twenty years ago the late Charles Haughey was one of its prime movers and it has helped to reduce the national debt from 125% of GNP — virtually the highest in Europe — to its current level of 25%, as it is now measured. One of the...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Now.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, for overseeing the passage of this significant and important legislation. We had a good discussion and I am pleased it is going through expeditiously. It has significant positive financial implications for the country.